Vieux-Lyon, Cathédrale Saint-Jean

Here is the Saint-Jean Primatiale built between 1170 and the fifteenth century. The apse and the choir are Romanesque, while the transept and the nave are Gothic. The damage wrought on missing or decapitated statues is the work of Baron Adrets’ soldiers in 1562. Fortunately, the 320 lavishly decorated carved medallions at the bottom of the openings have only suffered from time. They narrate the Bible, the Saints, and even courteous or monstrous scenes. Indeed, the extremely varied subjects are inspired by sacred history, mythology, symbols, popular scenes.